How to Survive as a Supporting Male Lead

Chapter 4. The Era of Kallian’s Trials

Kallian couldn’t quite remember what happened next. He didn’t know how he got back to the mansion, how he managed to finish a day’s work. All he knew was that “Iann de Loit” had completely taken over his mind.

Of course, Kallian had always thought about Iann. But before, his main thought was always “How can I torment Iann?” Now it was, “Do I… like Iann?” It was an entirely different thing.

“Ha.”

All day long, Kallian kept letting out hollow laughs. None of this made any sense. Iann de Loit was truly insane, especially so with him. No, only with him. Ever since that one big fight when they were young and became perfect enemies, Iann had tormented him constantly, every single day.

‘So why did I always let him get away with it?’

Kallian went blank again. When he thought about it, it was absurd. If it was petty and childish, he could’ve just ignored it. He didn’t need to bother responding, didn’t need to bother playing along. If he was truly angry, he could’ve just killed Iann, or at the very least ignored him altogether.

But Kallian had always gone along with Iann’s games.

He’d even repaid them in kind.

Why? Why did he do that?

‘Because I liked Iann?’

Even in the middle of his work, he couldn’t focus. That was unlike him, as he always finished his tasks no matter what.

“Hah.”

But no matter how he thought about it, it was ridiculous. Looking back on eighteen years of Iann’s antics, there was no way he could ever like him. At least, not Kallian, not the Kallian he thought he was.

Iann de Loit. The boy who had snatched away his stuffed toy and ran off, who always startled him for no reason. The one who’d stolen his precious brooch and ran away. Even as an adult, he and his rules hadn’t changed. He’d steal away territories Kallian had his eye on, challenged him to duels to steal his mines, trashed his office and rooms constantly, and never missed a chance to steal the mansion’s snacks.

He was always picking fights, always laughing at Kallian, always digging at his pride with ridiculous nonsense. In a word, it was…

‘Childish.’

Kallian let out a small laugh. Thinking back on it, every one of those tricks had been childish. Nothing that couldn’t be brushed off easily, foolish little pranks that could only come from someone like Iann de Loit. Even his petty malice was so small and so silly, it was almost cute, so much like him that it made Kallian’s head spin.

But then, in the middle of his laughter, Kallian suddenly stopped. Again. Again he was laughing while thinking about Iann. There was definitely something seriously wrong.

Kallian called for the physician.

“So, you’re saying you keep smiling whenever you think of a certain person?”

“Yes.”

The physician’s expression immediately turned strange, like he was thinking, “You called a doctor for this?”

“Your Grace, I’m sorry to say, but that’s not really an illness…”

“IWhen I think of Count de Loit.”

But when Kallian named him, the physician’s face went serious too. He was the mansion’s long-serving doctor and knew all about Kallian and Iann’s long, tangled history. He himself had been victim to pranks by Iann a few times and absolutely loathed him.

“Your Grace… Are you sure the Count didn’t pull some trick on you again?”

“…Isn’t there a ban on magic that tampers with people’s emotions?”

The doctor nodded, then shook his head.

“Yes, but if it’s Count Iann…”

“Right, if it’s Iann…”

“My wife is a renowned doctor of the mind. She’s also well-versed in magic-related phenomena. Perhaps you should consult her?”

It was a sensible suggestion. Kallian accepted it.

* * *

“I think you’re in love.”

The mental doctor’s diagnosis was short, clear, and direct.

“Is there any chance this is a misdiagnosis?”

“Well, Your Grace, you know better than anyone what your relationship with Lord Iann is.”

“Mm. In times like this, there’s a very simple test. It’s something used privately by laypeople, but there is nothing more reliable than this.”

She pushed up her sliding glasses, and the light reflecting off them gave her a strangely trustworthy air. Kallian asked, a hint of hope in his voice.

“What is it?”

“Imagine kissing him.”

“What?”

Kallian recoiled in disgust. Imagine kissing Iann? That was absurd. Iann’s mouth was always spouting foul, cutting words, yet it was also red and fine-looking.

Kallian’s face flushed bright red.

“You’re in love.”

A true expert, indeed.